7. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy touted the hiring of more than 2,000 new air traffic controllers after the Trump administration’s gamer recruitment push, calling the effort a “game changer” that met 94% of the hiring goal in the fastest time ever while advancing another 2,000-plus candidates to the Academy quicker than any previous class.

6. Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said Dr. Anthony Fauci “does not have a state pardon” and could face lawsuits from Alabamians who lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing he “should pay the price of having to go in a courtroom day in and day out” after Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall indicated a good opportunity for such cases.

5. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is among 12 Republican senators, including Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), calling for the passing of the Keep Our Communities Safe Act to close a “legal loophole” from the Supreme Court’s Zadvydas v. Davis decision that forces release of certain aliens after six months when no country will take them back.

4. Alabama Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton was elected chairman of the Alabama Democrat Party in a decisive vote, defeating incumbent Randy Kelley 165-62 or 72.7% to 27.3% after campaigning to improve organization, fundraising and support for candidates.

3. Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) told the Business Council of Alabama that “we have to help the taxpayers” by pairing economic growth and data centers with an aggressive attack on waste, fraud and abuse in the state, and wants to use AI to audit programs so the state can eventually reduce income and property taxes.

2. President Donald Trump told Axios the United States is “low-keying it” and only “semi-negotiating” with Iran while watching its “huge inflation” and economic distress under the naval blockade unfold, as Tehran issued new demands including ending the war, lifting the blockade, and full compensation before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and Houthi attacks continued in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

1. Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) told local leaders they could “pay teachers more, pay law enforcement more” by welcoming data centers that generate tax revenue, while media outlets are suggesting that rural Alabama voters in Lowndes County view these projects as a “slap in the face” and believe the issue could swing their votes away from Republicans.

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Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.